D4

I'll freely hold my hands up and admit I'm a very steam orientated person. Occasionally though, I see something that lures me to the other side with diesel traction...

And that's pretty much how D4 came to be on the stock books. Another kit from Fourdees running on a Kato 109 chassis. On paper, I shouldn't like this. It's quite a big engine, it doesn't hide its motive power too well and shape wise it's very cab end heavy, but there was something about this engine that I just couldn't shake. Perhaps it's the almost funnel like exhaust on top?

Having had so much fun building No.8 one of these was promptly ordered and arrived just as quick. I've got into a routine with diesel painting now, and being blessed by yet another heatwave earlier this year, it didn't take too long for a rattle can of undercoat and dark grey to dry. From there lining transfers do all the hard work, though it was a challenge to work out how the standard livery would fit, there's a lot of engine covers to work around here!

In the end the 'keep it simple stupid' approach won out.

The eagle eyed may have noticed it's missing its headlamps. An unfortunate result of an accidental drop sent front one pinging into the great expanse of grey carpet in the modelling area. The rear one was taken off the back of the cab with a scalpel to match. As much as 3D printing is a great boon for the model world, they can still be a little fragile I think.

Another one added to the (alarmingly growing) diesel fleet. I'm meant to be focusing on the layout, but I seem to be on a bit of a rolling stock spree as of late!